See the Log Canoe Silver Heel, Tall Ships, and More at Sultana Downrigging Festival
Come see one of the Chesapeake Bay’s iconic and original log canoes, Silver Heel, at the Sultana Downrigging Festival in Chestertown, MD from Oct. 31-Nov. 2.
Built in 1902, Silver Heel is a piece of living history as one of only 20-25 surviving log canoes still sailing and racing on the Eastern Shore. Silver Heel and the log canoe fleet once served as the primary fishing and oystering craft on the Chesapeake Bay that, at one point, numbered in the thousands. Starting in the 1850s, these working boats began evolving into racing craft, combining an ever-increasing sail area, narrow beams, and springboards set to “fly” crew over the water to counter the breeze… and to hopefully avoid capsize!
During the festival, the Silver Heel crew will raise her 54-foot foremast and demonstrate what it takes to rig, sail, tack, and “throw the boards” on these unique racing boats. Visitors can also explore an exhibit featuring historic photographs, stories from those who have sailed aboard her, and details on current preservation efforts.
Silver Heel is now operated by the Silver Heel Foundation, Inc., dedicated to promoting the legacy of log canoe sailing through racing, preservation, and education. SHF is celebrating over a century of Chesapeake Bay tradition – from Silver Heel’s early years as a working boat to her racing revival – through The Campaign for Silver Heel, a fundraising drive to support continued preservation and SHF’s outreach programming. To learn more, please visit silverheelfoundation.org.
Find details on the Silver Heel exhibit here.
Among the many other events at the Downrigging Festival—from tall ship tours and boat rides—there are talks by local authors, including SpinSheet co-founder Dave Gendell, who will discuss his book “The Last Days of the Schooner America” at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Find the full festival schedule here, and see you in Chestertown October 31- November 2.
